Oh YES I did!

I don't know whose idea it was to have our annual Fall Festival/Pig Roast this weekend on the last day of the fast (*snicker* actually, it's been planned for months) but, yesterday, I was pretty miserable. LOL But, with the help of a Ziplock bag and some patience...oh, yes I did! I had BBQ pork this morning for breakfast! Wa-hoo!

And, I plan at some point today to have what will probably be the best tasting ICE CREAM ever - thankyouverymuch! *wink*

Lastly, there is a bag of M&M's somewhere in this county with MY NAME ON THEM!

To those of you who encouraged, supported, and lifted me and my church family up in prayer...THANK YOU!

Day Seventeen

Well, it's hard to believe this is nearly over already! Things have been in such a transformation stage that I don't know if I can sum it all up for everyone.

Greater peace. Better sleep. More patience. More "quiet brain" time. Conversations about growth, belief, faith, obedience with family and others. Blessed Scripture time. Dealing with stress better.

New motivation for our roles in church leadership. Reprioritizing. What will *really* make a difference in the Kingdom versus the "what needs to be done on my to-do list" rat race. Tackling our first class in a Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University course at a local church.

What I am or am not eating seems of little importance. The point was the obedience. And, all this while it seems the world's roof is collapsing over our heads.

We will stand in Christ!

And, now some of the good news...Thursday Thanks Tank

The corporate fast I'm on along with my church family really has been about perspective and focus for me...something I definitely need with my struggles with ADD. With my mind's focus being on the fast, my perspective has sharpened on the things of God. Having a frequent reminder of what I'm attempting to honor has resulted in God, His word, His blessings, and His presence being around me moment to moment over the last week. For this I'm MOST thankful.

I'm also thankful this week that...

I seem to have more patience

I have been able to remember the "bigger picture" more often rather than getting caught up in the details.

I am being SO blessed by our churchwide schedule of scripture readings during the fast plus I'm keeping up (and actually ahead for once) on my personal scripture commitment to read a psalm a day 'til the end of the year.

I've been able to find a new chiropractor who I started seeing last week who has been able to immediately decrease my chronic back pain and has a plan to keep it that way with my help! Praise God!

I have a hubby that insisted I go out for a moms night out activity last Friday night! Who is also insisting that I go on my been-planned-forever "girls-only" road trip with Flicka this weekend regardless of all that is going on.

My mom and step-dad were able to come out for a visit last Saturday and love on the Vikings a bit.

I have a pastor who is an obedient man of God and who is an encourager when I came to him looking for his opinion on a new idea/ministry I'd like to try to set-up.

Despite my ever-lengthening to-do list, it all seems to be supernaturally getting done! LOL

An added benefit of the fast...I've lost 7 pounds! *wink* DEFINITELY NOT the point but a nice "perk". LOL I'm looking forward more to the knowledge, skill, wisdom, and understanding God gave to Daniel for being obedient! (Daniel 1.17 and 1.20) LOL

If you would like to see how God has blessed others this week and their lists of thankfulness, stop by Peach's today or Sting My Heart for Thankful Thursday.

Good grief! The "bad" news first...

And, it just keeps coming...LOL (I will not break my fast, I will not break my fast, I will not break my fast....but I'm *really* wanting a gallon of chocolate almond ice cream, several 2 liters of CAFFEINATED soda, and a big, fat, HAMBURGER! LOL A stress eater? Who me? *wink*)

OK, let's see...

Pojke is on day SEVEN of a "mystery virus" which includes not eating (well, eating less than 1/4 - 1/2 cup of food a day for the past six days) and "watery diapers" (to put it nicely). He's hydrated fine, no behavior changes, no fever, no sleep problems, nothing. He's lost 1-2 pounds but since he was so...ahem...sturdy to begin with (LOL), the pediatrician isn't too worried yet. The doc as well as his parents are stumped. Plus, the wonderful experience of collecting a stool sample from a toddler in diapers with di****ea is just one of those mommy rights of passage that I could have missed and been fine! LOL We're hoping the test results come in today.

Flicka started complaining about her ear yesterday...and we'll be heading to the ped this morning sometime. Even thought she had trouble getting to sleep (she finally went down around 11:30pm), at least she slept through the night.

Oh, did I mention Flicka and I are scheduled to leave for a 5-6 hours drive upstate to visit my best friend of 30+ years and her two girls tomorrow! *rolls eyes*

And, the church newsletter, which I design and edit, is due next week. And, nearly all the submissions came in yesterday - five days after deadline. *sigh*

DaHubby's got issues at work: work hours cut but out-of-pocket insurance costs going up $50/week.

Property taxes due this week...and we could only pay half.

I just want the devil to take notice...I AM NOT BREAKING THIS FAST! We had the choice of a 10 or 21 day fast. I was considering breaking it today (it's day 11) but I hadn't been able to determine if that's what God's will was.

But, after all this stress and after Pastor Don's AWESOME midweek message last night, my stubborn streak is coming out! LOL I'm going for the 21 days! The devil won't win and Pastor encouraged me and reminded me that great things are coming!

God will provide. He will bless those who obey. He will strengthen my faith. I will not worry...too much! *wink*

Daniel Fast begins

The wandering of my mind this afternoon...

Well, this is it. My church is starting today. I'm almost afraid to admit it out loud for fear of failure. Y'know how it goes...maybe if I don't TELL anyone I'm giving something up, then if I DO slip up, no one is the wiser, thinks less of me, could care less. *sigh*

Just being transparent here, people.

I'm thinking the dessert-fast is insufficient. I had relatively little issue with giving up chocolate, caffeine and the like while nursing the Vikings. So how much "sacrifice" is that really? And, I'm feeling pulled to do m-o-r-e. Have no idea how I'll do it...which is a little freaky for a big-time organizer/planner/list maker as myself.

While I initially figured giving up sweets would be sufficient (and isn't that an issue all unto itself - that I'm looking for "sufficient" instead of OBEYING *sigh*), once I googled up information of what a serious Daniel fast menu entails- I'm feeling hugely convicted that I was already thinking of ways to "get around" the fast "rules."

I'm clueless to how to integrate this into a home situation where I prep and cook for everyone else and have all the food I will not be allowed to eat around constantly. Trying to discipline the Vikings to eat what I prepare and to realize that Momma won't be making them special and/or separate meals may provoke behavior problems when Momma "gets" to eat other things than what DaHubby and them are eating.

So, I guess that I'm doing a "Vikings-modified" Daniel fast. I will abstain and modify as much as one can. Not that convenience is the deciding factor, but as a repeatedly, mostly-unsuccessful dieter, I don't want to set myself up for failure and/or additional problems.

So, it will not only be desserts but also meat and "rich"/processed foods as well.

Simplify, simplify, simplify.

Pray, pray, pray.

Seek, seek, seek.

Discipline, discipline, discipline.

Part of this fasting season includes a schedule of Scriptures chosen by our pastors that we will all be reading at the same time. If you are interested, I'll share those as well.

I'm excited, freaked, frightened, thrilled, anticipating great things, scared that God may actually "show up"...it goes on and on.

Your prayers would be coveted.